PULLMAN – In a disappointing outing, the Washington State Cougars suffered an 86-65 defeat against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Thursday night. Coaches and players will undoubtedly reflect on numerous missed opportunities and critical errors as they head home.
The Cougars committed 17 turnovers, converted only 10 of 20 free throws, and allowed 52 points in the paint. Forward Simon Hildebrandt, who scored a career-high 16 points with three 3-pointers, remarked, “We kinda let them destroy us down low and really set the tone with their physicality.” However, the most alarming statistic from the game was Washington State”s total of just eight two-pointers made throughout the entire contest. This is particularly surprising for a team known for its efficiency in scoring inside the arc.
The eight two-pointers were recorded by a handful of players: three from guard Jerone Morton, who also scored 16 points; one from freshman guard Ace Glass, who matched Morton”s total; one from Hildebrandt; two from Emmanuel Ugbo, who ended with seven points; and one from guard Adria Rodriguez, who continued to struggle at the free throw line with a 3-for-8 performance.
It wasn”t merely a matter of missed easy shots; many players appeared uncomfortable taking those shots. Rodriguez often passed up opportunities to shoot floaters or attack the rim, while forward Eemeli Yalaho hesitated on several close-range attempts. Even Glass missed an open mid-range shot, a rarity for him. Head Coach Riley noted, “That”s a staple of our offense, that we should be shooting very, very efficiently from two. We”ve done that. We”ve gotten much better at that. It was crazy. We were 2-for-12 from two at one point in the second half. It was insane.”
Washington State was missing two starters, guard Tomas Thrastarson and wing shooter Ri Vavers, the latter of whom was a late scratch due to a concussion. Additionally, another starter, 6-foot-10 ND Okafor, faced foul trouble and played only 11 minutes. Despite these challenges, the Cougars shot well from beyond the arc, hitting 13 of 28 attempts for a commendable 46% success rate, which helped keep them competitive in the first half.
Hildebrandt contributed four three-pointers, including three in quick succession during the first half. Glass also made four threes, showcasing his ability to score even under defensive pressure, and Morton added three. However, the heavy reliance on the three-point shot contributed to a dismal performance inside the arc.
Hildebrandt stated, “I think part of it was in the first half, we played with really good pace. I thought when we pushed the ball and we get out and run, our offense is much better.” The Cougars” pace faltered after a strong start, which affected their overall offensive flow. Riley emphasized that when they run, they can create good looks for their shooters.
The Cougars” careless ball handling was another significant issue. Lazy entry passes were intercepted, cross-court attempts were easily picked off, and unforced errors led to turnovers that Gonzaga capitalized on, scoring 27 points off Washington State”s mistakes. The rebounding differential also favored Gonzaga, who dominated the boards 43-29, including 17 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points.
“It just seemed like we were step slow and a little timid way too much of that game,” Riley remarked.
As Washington State prepares for their next game against San Francisco, they will need to address these issues. They will not face another team with the physicality of Gonzaga in the immediate future, and Okafor is expected to be in better form. However, the Cougars must find ways to improve their offensive creativity and regain their identity as a strong inside team.
Riley concluded, “I felt like we regressed a little bit today with our physicality and just the force that we played with. It seemed like we were thinking or just a step behind. We weren”t able to stay in the moment.”
